One-handed splinter extraction advice required

by Suw on July 31, 2004

One of the drawbacks of living on one's own is lack of extra hands. I have just managed to skewer myself with three large chunks of 2×4, and one small one. (Before you ask, I was ferreting about in the loft, looking for my years old INXS tapes (and before you ask about *that*, it was just a sudden urge, ok?) when I overbalanced and unwisely grabbed at a rafter.) )
So, I have three or four splinters of wood stuck in the first finger of my left hand. I have a magnifying glass in my right. I need another hand to drive the tweezers. And I'm left handed, which makes it all a lot tricker because I am far from dexterous, ironically, with my right hand.
Seems like a bit of a trifling thing to go nextdoor to ask for help with though, even if my neighbour is an EMT.
Oh, and another thing. Trying to position a magnifying glass in your cleavage is pointless – the angle's all wrong and you can't see a thing.
UPDATE: Managed to get the biggest one out. The rest are still proving elusive.
UPDATE2: Shit, I need to get out more.

Anonymous July 31, 2004 at 4:48 pm

My advice? Clench teeth, dig big holes, desinfect afterwards.

Anonymous July 31, 2004 at 7:03 pm

Actually, working in a hardware store – in the wood department of all places – I get splinters all the time. My technique is get a hobby knife and cut it out. And if it bleeds all the better; any infection bleeds right out.

Anonymous July 31, 2004 at 8:58 pm

I was going for the let-it-fester-its-way-out tactic. I have two still embedded, but I guess I could have a few Wyborowa and dig 'em out with a scalpel.

Anonymous August 2, 2004 at 6:13 am

They actually work their way out faster than the festering comes along. It's a zen thing, ya know … 'cuz it's so bloody tempting, and itchytating with them sitting there looking at you.
Jon Husband

Anonymous August 2, 2004 at 7:17 am

I hope you're right. I tried putting a poultice on them yesterday, but it didn't help at all. No puss yet.
Last time I thought something would 'work it's way out' I was about 9 and it was a pencil lead that I had managed to jab into my palm by accident. It's still there, faintly visible as a grey splotch under the skin.
Thus I am a little concerned about these things healing up instead of getting spat out.

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